Top Rated New Jersey Defense Base Act Law Firm – Grossman Attorneys
If you were injured while working abroad for a New Jersey defense contractor like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, or KBR, the Defense Base Act covers your claim. This federal workers’ compensation program protects civilian contractors serving on U.S. military installations and government projects around the world, but securing your benefits requires navigating a complex system designed to minimize payouts. Insurance carriers routinely deny legitimate claims or offer settlements far below what injured workers deserve.
Grossman Attorneys at Law has decades of experience fighting for Defense Base Act claimants from New Jersey. Our attorneys understand the tactics insurers use and have secured substantial results through skilled negotiation and litigation when necessary. Because DBA law requires insurers to pay attorney fees, our clients pay nothing out of pocket for representation.
You’ve already sacrificed enough serving your country’s interests overseas. Let us handle your claim while you focus on recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation about your Defense Base Act case.
What is the Defense Base Act?
The Defense Base Act is a federal workers’ compensation law that protects American contractors when they accept contract positions supporting U.S. military operations or government projects overseas, covering them regardless of where the injury occurs outside U.S. borders. It is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, which provides comprehensive guidance and resources through its Defense Base Act hub.
The DBA’s jurisdictional scope extends to:
- Military bases worldwide, including combat zones and peacekeeping missions
- Public works contracts, covering construction and infrastructure projects funded by U.S. agencies
- Service contracts for logistics, security, food service, and technical support operations
- Foreign government agreements involving projects under U.S. military assistance programs
Understanding the historical origins helps explain why this protection exists for civilian contractors. The Act extends Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act benefits to overseas defense contractors and is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs.
DBA Insurance Coverage for Overseas Contractors from New Jersey
If you’re a New Jersey contractor who was injured overseas, understanding which types of employment trigger DBA insurance coverage determines whether you’re entitled to benefits. Under the Defense Base Act, coverage extends to employees working on U.S. military bases, under public works and service contracts, and for organizations providing humanitarian assistance in connection with U.S. government activities abroad.
Your employer’s insurance carrier must provide coverage for specific categories of work performed outside the United States in support of U.S. government operations and military efforts. The type of contract your employer held and the nature of your work duties directly affect your eligibility for medical treatment and wage replacement benefits. Employers and their subcontractors are generally required to secure DBA insurance, and many obtain it through single-source programs or other procurement approaches.
Types of Employment Covered Under DBA Insurance
Defense Base Act insurance covers far more than combat-related positions, extending mandatory protection to nearly every civilian role supporting U.S. military operations and government contracts overseas. This coverage also applies to local nationals employed by U.S. contractors or subcontractors on overseas projects.
Coverage includes:
- Construction and logistics personnel building facilities, maintaining infrastructure, and managing supply chains on military installations
- Equipment operators running heavy machinery, vehicles, and specialized technical systems supporting base operations
- Security contractors providing protection services, base security, and personnel safety oversight
- Remote contractors working at forward operating bases, temporary installations, and isolated project sites
Whether you’re performing administrative duties or hands-on technical work, your overseas employment likely qualifies for DBA protection. Under the DBA’s no-fault system, eligible workers can receive medical and disability benefits without proving employer negligence.
How Our New Jersey DBA Claim Attorneys Can Help
Our New Jersey DBA claim attorneys provide comprehensive legal representation to protect your rights throughout the Defense Base Act claims process. Our team understands the importance of meeting strict filing deadlines and evidentiary requirements to keep your claim on track.
When you’re facing a denied claim or delayed benefits after an overseas injury, you need attorneys who understand both the Defense Base Act’s complex requirements and how to build a winning case.
We work to protect your rights at every stage of the process, from the initial claim filing through final resolution.
We’ll handle the legal challenges while you focus on your medical recovery and getting your life back on track.
Because TPAs like Gallagher Bassett often use claim investigations and negotiating tactics that delay or minimize benefits, our team counters these strategies to help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Gather and Preserve Critical Evidence
Insurance carriers and defense attorneys scrutinize every detail of your DBA claim, so the evidence you gather in the weeks and months following your injury can determine whether you receive full compensation or face a prolonged battle over benefits.
Our attorneys immediately establish a proper evidence chain, documenting how medical records, incident reports, and physical evidence connect to prove your claim. We conduct thorough witness interviews with coworkers who observed your accident or can verify your working conditions. We’ll also secure surveillance footage, safety logs, and communications before they disappear, building an unassailable foundation for your case.
We also guide clients through DOL procedures and prepare evidence for potential hearings before an ALJ, leveraging our experience with administrative hearings to strengthen the claim from the outset. We also advise clients on filing deadlines for disability and occupational disease claims, including the one-year statute for injuries and the two-year period that begins when you become aware of the disease’s connection to your employment.
Represent You in Hearings and Appeals
If your claim is denied or disputed, you’ll face a formal hearing before an Administrative Law Judge where insurance company attorneys will aggressively challenge every aspect of your case—your injury severity, causation, disability rating, and compensation amount. Our attorneys handle all hearing preparation, including organizing medical evidence, preparing witnesses, and developing cross-examination strategies to expose weaknesses in the insurance company’s defense.
We present compelling testimony from medical experts and vocational specialists who support your entitlement to benefits. If the initial decision is unfavorable, we execute a thorough appeals strategy through the Benefits Review Board and federal courts when necessary.
Legal representation becomes essential when claims face denial or dispute, as Administrative Law Judge hearings involve insurance company attorneys who systematically challenge injury severity, causation, disability ratings, and compensation calculations.
Our attorneys manage complete hearing preparation, organizing medical evidence, preparing witnesses, and creating cross-examination strategies that expose weaknesses in insurance company defenses. We present testimony from medical experts and vocational specialists who provide documented support for your benefit entitlement.
When initial decisions prove unfavorable, we implement comprehensive appeals strategies through the Benefits Review Board and pursue cases in federal courts as required by your situation.
Maximize Your Compensation
Insurance companies consistently undervalue Defense Base Act claims by applying the lowest possible disability ratings, minimizing documented impairments, and terminating benefits prematurely before injured contractors reach maximum medical improvement. Their cost reduction tactics prioritize financial targets over fair compensation.
Grossman Attorneys develops all-encompassing settlement strategies that counter these approaches by presenting detailed medical evidence, accurate disability assessments, and thorough wage loss calculations. We’ll negotiate aggressively for full compensation covering medical expenses, disability benefits, and vocational rehabilitation. When insurers refuse reasonable settlements, we’ll take your case to trial to secure the maximum benefits you’ve earned through your overseas service.
Get Results
Each one of our lawyers is a skilled and experienced litigator and negotiator. We never recommend settling your case when trial presents a better opportunity for recovery.
Insurance companies know our reputation. They know we prepare every case for trial and we’ll go the distance when settlement offers fall short. We investigate thoroughly, build bulletproof cases, and aren’t afraid to take yours to court. That changes negotiations from the start.
Anytime. Anywhere. We’re Ready to Fight for You.
U.S. Defense Contractors in New Jersey
New Jersey's defense industry employs over 70,000 workers across 7,000 companies that receive Department of Defense contracts, with approximately 15-20% of these firms deploying personnel to military bases and government projects worldwide.
If you worked for a New Jersey-based defense contractor or deployed from a New Jersey installation before your overseas injury, understanding the state's contractor landscape helps establish your Defense Base Act coverage eligibility.
Major defense employers in New Jersey include multinational corporations like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, BAE Systems, and L3Harris Technologies, alongside mid-sized firms and small businesses specializing in aerospace systems, missile defense, satellite communications, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing.
List of Major Defense Contractors in New Jersey
Lockheed Martin
Locations: Moorestown (Burlington County)
Founded: 1995 (merger of Lockheed and Martin Marietta)
Website: https://www.lockheedmartin.com
The Moorestown facility serves as the primary development and production center for the AEGIS Combat System, providing naval combat and missile defense radar that guides fleet protection worldwide.
Engineers and technicians from this site regularly deploy to support installations aboard U.S. Navy vessels and provide training and maintenance support at naval bases globally.
The AEGIS system defends against ballistic missiles, aircraft, and surface threats, with Moorestown teams often supporting forward-deployed naval forces in the Pacific and Mediterranean theaters.
L3Harris Technologies
Locations: Clifton (Passaic County)
Founded: 2019 (merger of L3 Technologies and Harris Corporation)
Website: https://www.l3harris.com
The Clifton facility specializes in electronic warfare systems and space intelligence capabilities that detect and disrupt threats across multiple domains.
Technical staff from this location deploy to operational theaters to integrate electronic warfare suites into existing platforms and provide field support for signals intelligence missions.
Their systems are critical for identifying and countering enemy communications and radar systems, with personnel regularly supporting overseas installations at EUCOM and CENTCOM locations.
RTX (Raytheon Technologies)
Locations: Morristown (Morris County)
Founded: 2020 (merger of Raytheon Company and United Technologies)
Website: https://www.rtx.com
RTX's New Jersey operations focus on advanced radar and communications systems for joint military missions.
The Morristown hub supports the development and sustainment of command-and-control systems that coordinate air, land, and sea operations.
Field service representatives and systems engineers from this facility deploy to support major exercises and ongoing operations, ensuring communication networks remain operational in austere environments.
Their technology enables real-time battlefield awareness for commanders across multiple combatant commands.
BAE Systems
Locations: Whippany (Morris County)
Founded: 1999 (formation of BAE Systems plc)
Website: https://www.baesystems.com
The Whippany facility operates in close coordination with Picatinny Arsenal, focusing on electronic warfare systems that protect ground forces and aircraft from enemy targeting systems.
BAE Systems engineers provide on-site support at Picatinny for weapons development programs while also deploying technical teams to forward operating bases to install and maintain countermeasure systems.
Their electronic warfare suites jam enemy radar and communications, creating critical survivability margins for U.S. and allied forces operating in contested environments.
Types of Injuries Covered by DBA Insurance
DBA insurance provides financial protection and medical benefits for contractors who sustain physical or psychological harm while working on U.S. government projects in foreign locations.
Coverage extends to combat and conflict injuries, which include blast wounds, gunfire, shrapnel, and injuries from vehicle or base attacks while on duty overseas.
DBA coverage also applies to occupational diseases, which are illnesses caused by your work conditions, as well as psychological injuries like PTSD, anxiety, and depression that arise from deployment stress or traumatic events.
It can include chronic deployment-related conditions, meaning long-term problems such as hearing loss, back and joint damage, respiratory issues, or repetitive stress injuries tied to your service abroad.
Combat and Conflict Injuries
Defense Base Act contractors working in active war zones and conflict areas face dangers that go far beyond typical workplace hazards. You're entitled to full DBA coverage if you've suffered combat trauma, including injuries from explosions, gunfire, shrapnel, or vehicle attacks. Your employer's insurance must cover emergency battlefield evacuations, surgical interventions, and all subsequent treatment.
DBA protection extends to blast-related injuries, burns, amputations, and traumatic brain injuries sustained during hostile actions. Whether you were directly targeted or caught in crossfire while performing your contracted duties, these combat-related injuries qualify for thorough compensation under the Defense Base Act.
Occupational Diseases and Illnesses
Exposure to hazardous conditions overseas can trigger serious illnesses that develop gradually rather than from a single traumatic incident.
Occupational exposure to burn pits, contaminated water, toxic chemicals, and airborne particulates at military installations frequently causes respiratory conditions, cancers, and neurological disorders. These chronic illnesses often surface months or years after your deployment ends, complicating claims when symptoms finally appear. You'll need strong medical documentation linking your condition to specific environmental hazards you encountered.
Insurance carriers routinely challenge these claims, arguing insufficient proof of causation. That's where experienced legal representation becomes essential for establishing your entitlement.
Psychological and PTSD Claims
Working in conflict zones and high-stress environments doesn't just threaten your physical health. DBA insurance covers psychological injuries including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and combat stress resulting from your overseas work. You're entitled to compensation for mental health conditions triggered by hostile fire, witnessing violence, extended deployments, or traumatic incidents.
Treatment access remains a critical challenge for contractors returning with psychological injuries. Insurance carriers dispute these claims in approximately 60% of psychological injury cases, arguing pre-existing conditions or insufficient medical documentation. You'll need specialized mental health evaluations and extensive treatment records to establish your claim's validity and secure the benefits you've earned.
Chronic Deployment-Related Conditions
Beyond immediate traumatic injuries, extended overseas deployments gradually damage your body in ways that don't appear on accident reports. Deployment fatigue from working 12-16 hour shifts without adequate rest weakens your immune system and cardiovascular health.
Chronic sleep disturbances caused by security threats, rotating schedules, and high-stress environments create lasting neurological damage. Exposure to burn pits, contaminated water, extreme temperatures exceeding 120°F in summer months, and poor air quality causes respiratory conditions, kidney damage, and other organ dysfunction that may not manifest until 6 months to 10 years after your return. The Defense Base Act covers these progressive conditions when you can establish they resulted from your overseas work environment.
Medical Facilities and Treatment for New Jersey DBA Claimants
Medical care serves dual critical purposes for injured overseas contractors: facilitating your physical recovery and establishing the foundation of your DBA claim. Prompt, thorough medical treatment not only addresses your injuries but creates the detailed documentation necessary to prove your case.
New Jersey offers excellent facilities ranging from major trauma centers like University Hospital in Newark to specialized rehabilitation centers statewide. Under the DBA, you maintain the right to select your treating physician and receive all reasonable medical care at no cost.
Comprehensive medical records become your most powerful evidence, documenting injury severity, treatment necessity, work restrictions, and long-term prognosis—elements essential for securing maximum compensation and ongoing benefits throughout your recovery.
Trauma Centers and Medical Facilities in New Jersey
Although your injury happened overseas, your path to recovery often runs through New Jersey's top trauma centers and specialty hospitals that can document your condition for a Defense Base Act claim. These facilities coordinate trauma outreach and hospital partnerships, which means your treating team can share records quickly and support your case.
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
1 Robert Wood Johnson Place
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 828-3000
Located in central New Jersey, this Level I trauma center provides 24/7 surgical coverage with specialized services for head injuries and burn treatment. The facility serves as a major referral center for complex trauma cases throughout the region.
University Hospital
150 Bergen Street
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 972-4300
Situated in northern New Jersey's largest city, this Level I trauma center maintains in-house neurosurgery and orthopedic capabilities for complex trauma care. The hospital provides comprehensive emergency services and specialty consultations around the clock.
Cooper University Hospital
1 Cooper Plaza
Camden, NJ 08103
(856) 342-2000
Operating as the busiest trauma center in South Jersey, this Level I facility serves as the regional referral center for southern New Jersey and the greater Philadelphia area. The hospital provides comprehensive trauma services and specialty care.
Jersey Shore University Medical Center
1945 Route 33
Neptune, NJ 07754
(732) 775-5500
Located along the Jersey Shore, this Level I trauma center provides both adult and pediatric trauma services. The facility offers thorough diagnostic capabilities and participates in ongoing trauma research initiatives.
Important Medical Rights Under the DBA
Your insurance carrier must pay for all medical treatment reasonably necessary to diagnose and treat your work-related injury or illness, a protection that extends far beyond basic emergency care.
Your all-inclusive medical rights include:
- Choice of physician – You can select your treating doctor, and the carrier can't force you to see their preferred providers
- Unlimited treatment duration – Coverage continues as long as treatment remains medically necessary
- Medical advocacy support – You're entitled to representation when carriers dispute treatment recommendations
- Treatment continuity guarantees – Ongoing care can't be interrupted without proper authorization procedures
These protections make certain you receive appropriate care.
DBA Benefits Available to New Jersey Residents
Understanding your available benefits under the Defense Base Act is essential to protecting your financial security after an overseas injury.
New Jersey contractors covered by the DBA can access thorough compensation that includes full medical treatment, weekly disability payments calculated at two-thirds of your average weekly wage, rehabilitation services, and survivor benefits for families in cases of fatal injuries.
These benefits aren't limited by arbitrary caps like some workers' compensation systems, and you're entitled to receive them regardless of where your injury occurred or how long you worked overseas.
Medical Treatment and Expenses
The Defense Base Act guarantees full coverage of all reasonable and necessary medical treatment for your work-related injury or illness, with no out-of-pocket costs to you. This includes doctor visits, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription medications, medical equipment, and travel expenses to appointments.
However, insurance carriers often create obstacles through treatment authorization delays or by directing you to their medical provider network. You're entitled to choose your own doctor, and delays in approving treatment can violate your rights. If you're facing pushback on necessary medical care, an experienced DBA attorney can intervene immediately to protect your access to treatment.
Disability Compensation Payment Rates
Beyond covering your medical expenses, DBA insurance must pay you weekly compensation benefits if your injury prevents you from working. Your payment amount depends on your average weekly wage before the injury and your disability classification.
Total disability pays two-thirds of your pre-injury wages, subject to maximum limits adjusted annually by the Department of Labor (https://www.dol.gov/owcp/dlhwc/lsdba.htm). Partial disability pays two-thirds of your wage loss. These non-taxable benefits continue throughout your recovery period.
The system includes cost of living adjustments to maintain purchasing power during extended disability periods. Permanent disability may entitle you to long-term or lifetime compensation depending on your condition's severity.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services Available
If your overseas injury prevents you from returning to your previous job, vocational rehabilitation benefits can help you shift into suitable alternative employment. These services include thorough vocational assessment to identify transferable skills and appropriate job matches based on your medical restrictions.
You'll receive job coaching support throughout your career changeover, helping you develop necessary skills and adjust to new work environments. The insurance carrier must pay for approved rehabilitation services, including retraining programs and job placement assistance.
These benefits guarantee you can maintain earning capacity despite limitations from your overseas injury. Contact us to secure your rehabilitation rights.
Death Benefits for Families
When a contractor dies from injuries or illness sustained while working overseas on a U.S. military base or government project, surviving family members can receive substantial financial support through Defense Base Act death benefits.
These benefits include ongoing payments to spouses and dependent children, burial allowances up to $3,000, and transportation costs to return your loved one home. You'll also receive survivor counseling services to help your family process this tragedy.
The claims process requires specific documentation and strict deadlines. Our attorneys guide families through every step, ensuring you receive the full compensation your family deserves during this difficult time.
Statute of Limitations for DBA Claims
Understanding the strict deadlines governing Defense Base Act claims can make the difference between receiving the compensation you deserve and losing your right to benefits entirely. DBA statute interpretation determines when your filing window begins, and effective filing strategies protect your claim even in complex situations.
Critical DBA Deadlines:
- One-year standard limit from injury date or last compensation payment
- Two-year extension for occupational diseases like PTSD when diagnosed late
- Equitable tolling may apply if employer concealed your rights
- Voluntary benefit payments restart your filing deadline
Legal counsel makes certain you don't miss these time-sensitive opportunities.
Contact Our New Jersey Defense Base Act Law Firm Today for Help
If you or a loved one suffered an injury, illness, or psychological condition while working overseas as a defense contractor with ties to New Jersey, Grossman Attorneys at Law is here to help.
Whether you need to file a new Defense Base Act claim, appeal a denial, resolve unreasonable delays, or challenge an inadequate settlement offer, our experienced DBA attorneys understand the complexities of your situation and will fight for the full compensation you deserve.
We've successfully represented more than 300 contractors injured on military bases and government projects worldwide, and our multilingual team can communicate with you in English, Spanish, Creole, French, Russian, and Ukrainian.
Contact Grossman Attorneys at Law today to speak with an experienced Defense Base Act lawyer about your case.
*If you hire Grossman Attorneys for your DBA case, you pay no attorney fees for our service. When we win your claim, the employer or its insurer typically pays a DOL-approved attorney’s fee and any case expenses we advanced are reimbursed from the recovery. If we don't win, you pay nothing.